E.A.T.O.N.

Chapter 12- 3 months later

"Marcus!"

My parents greet my as I waltz through the door. I have just officially become an adult member of Abnegation.

"Well done dear." My dad embraces me, "I'm so glad it was all alright for you."

The initiation process itself was actually quite simple for Abnegation born people like me. Mainly about selflessness, how to be selfless and how to avoid greed. I made a few friends there too, like Daisy and Kenny, so it wasn't all that dull.

"Dinners ready!" My mother yells from the kitchen. Very shortly after this she brings about a massive steaming roast chicken and bowls filled with potatoes and vegetables. Roast dinner is my favourite, I only get it on special occasions like today. Carefully, trying very hard not to drop everything, my mother places down our dinner on to the lace tablecloth. A beautiful smell wafts up towards me. Bliss.

We all sit down at the table and begin the awkward small talk that Abnegation are quite well known for.

"How was it Marcus?"

"Chicken is well cooked, isn't it?"

"Been a bit rainy today, hope it's sunny tomorrow."

This is normal for my parents. Talking about nothing, just talking for the sake of it. But something about their tone was different. Fear. Sadness. Anger. I could hear it in my father's voice, see it in my mother's eyes. It was difficult to ignore. My inner curiosity urged me to say something, but my Abnegation brain took the wheel, steering me away from trouble. It was probably nothing, I was probably overreacting. Maybe my dad had a bad day at work? I knew deep in my heart that it was far more than that, but I pretended that the little niggle inside me wasn't there and carried on eating.

After, dessert, which was a strawberry cheesecake, my favourite, I got up to help clear the table. My parents went into the hallway. Suspicious. I couldn't hold back my curiosity any longer, so I cleared away at least three times faster than I usually would and pressed my ear against the door that went from the kitchen to the hallway.

"Should we tell him?" I overheard my mother whisper.

"I don't want to worry him, it's too much for him to take in right now." My father replied.

What were they talking about? Whatever it was, I could handle it.

"I guess so, but since he's officially an adult now, I think we should talk it over."

"You know how close they were, I don't want to hurt him."

"He deserves to know the truth, James, we shouldn't keep secrets from him like this."

Secrets? What secrets? Now I was desperate to know what they were talking about.

"I know I know, but what's right?"

"What's right is telling him. He deserves to know and we shouldn't be keeping anything from him. He's our son."

"Alright alright," my father sighed, "You break the news though."

What news? I was so confused about it all. Should I ask them about it. No, that would give away that I've been eavesdropping on their conversation. I guess I'll just have to wait until they break "the news".

Slowly, I strolled back through the kitchen, through the living room and into the hallway, where my parents were still standing. Before I could place one foot on the stairs my mother spoke to me.

"Marcus, we need to have a quick chat about something."

"About what?" I replied.

My mother glanced at my father with hurt striped across her face before looking back into my eyes with her own.

"It's about Anna."